‘Having Him As A Coach…’: RR Skipper Sanju Samson Inspired By Rahul Dravid, Aims To Emulate His Approach In IPL 2025
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Sanju Samson reflects on the reunion with Rahul Dravid in Rajasthan Royals’ upcoming campaign in IPL 2025.
Sanju Samson (L) and Rahul Dravid (R). (Image: X)
Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson reflected on his reunion with Rahul Dravid, who returned as the Head Coach of the franchise for a second stint ahead of the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League.
It’s a full-circle moment for the two as Samson made his first strides in the league after making his debut with the franchise in 2013 when Dravid was the skipper at the time.
“Now, I am the captain of the franchise, and Rahul sir, has returned after so many years to coach the team. It’s a unique and special feeling. He was always part of the Rajasthan Royals family, and we are all grateful to have him back,” Samson said in an interview with JioHotstar.
“I have played under him both at Rajasthan Royals and in the Indian team when he was the coach. But now, having him as a coach while I captain the side is something truly special. I am looking forward to learning a lot from him in the coming years, and it’s really exciting,” he added.
Samson talked about his observations of Dravid during his playing days and is inspired to follow suit when he leads the side in the upcoming season.
“As a captain, I see how he led from the front- not just through his skills but off the field as well. He never missed an optional practice session when he was the captain,” he shared.
“I observed how he treated young players in the dressing room, how he communicated with seniors, how he handled team meetings, and how he welcomed new players. All those small but significant things shaped my understanding of leadership, and I try to follow the same approach,” he added.
Samson praised Dravid and how deeply involved he is in the game even as the head coach and feels that there is a lot to be learned even though Dravid’s playing days are over.
“I’ve always observed him from a distance and also been close to him. He’s a top-notch professional who ensures that every aspect of preparation is taken care of,” he commented.
“I was with him last month in Nagpur, Talegaon, and saw how involved he is. From 10 AM in the morning till 5 PM in the evening, in the heat, he was there watching batsmen bat and bowlers bowl, interacting with them, discussing strategies with the coaches,” he added.
The star wicketkeeper-batter hopes to incorporate Dravid’s meticulous approach to preparation in his game with the new season soon approaching.
“He is fully committed to the team, from A to Z. That’s something I admire and want to learn—how to prepare better. Preparation is a key part of his character, and I want to incorporate that into my own approach,” he concluded.
RR will begin their campaign with their first fixture, an away game against last year’s runners-up, the Sunrisers Hyderabad, on March 23 (Sunday).